September 2011
38 posts
What does "economic development" mean?
It’s a hot term around here, in our industry. But what does “economic development” really mean?
Here’s what USDA Rural Development defines it as:
“The industrial, business and financial augmentation of an area as evidenced by increases in total income, employment opportunities, value of production, duration of employment, or diversification of industry, reduced outmigration, higher labor force participation rates or wage levels, or gains in other measurements of economic activity, such as land values.”
That sounds about right. Yeah, the Epicenter is instigating economic development. Let’s do more.
English and GED classes for Green River →
startsomegood.com
The Epicenter is partnering with Arches Education Center in Moab to bring English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and General Education Development (GED) classes to Green River.
Currently, Green River residents drive 52 miles each way to Moab for these classes. Adam, one of the AmeriCorps VISTAs that will be teaching the classes, reports that there is enough need from just the population of Green River that they will travel up here once a week for 15 weeks to hold the classes here in the Epicenter.
We’ll be able to provide them here for a nominal cost to the participants.
We’re very excited. Please consider supporting the two AmeriCorps VISTAs in covering their expenses by donating to their cause online here.
Nicole Lavelle is somewhere else.: A Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Greensboro Starting at Elsewhere →
nicolelavelle.tumblr.com
Future Frontier Fellow Nicole Lavelle is in Greensboro, NC, with recent Frontier Fellow Miles Mattison at a program called Elsewhere. It’s great to have explorers such as these two involved with the Epicenter. Their experiences certainly benefit this sister city of Green River, UT.
Click on the link below to see the full day 1 tour of Greensboro, NC.
Disclaimer: I have been in this city for less than 24 hours. This tour was designed with help from Lucia, Rosa, Miles, Maggie and Patches. I am orienting myself.
The Alley at Elsewhere (also known as: the Elm Street Alley)
This alley has a river running through it when it rains. In the back…
$5,000 of Funding on the Line
If you haven’t already heard, Epicycles the Epicenter’s Bike-Share program (due to roll out next summer) is in a contest for $5,000 of funding. This money will be used as matching funds when we apply for the Specialized Grant this winter in partnership with Rim Cyclery of Moab.
Please Go Here and vote for “Un-Derailed” to help Epicycles become a reality in Green River. No sign up necessary and as the old saying goes, “Vote early, vote often.”
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If this isn’t inspiration enough, here is the story of The Brown and Gold Wonder:
My bike was the fastest, slickest bike on the block – so I claimed. It was in fact one of the few bikes around and was a “Frankstien” of destroyed bikes, scrapped and put together to create one functional bike. You can see the wheels are different sizes, and the bell seat.
It was the spring after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans; we were busy gutting houses in the 9th ward. With minimal functional resources around and the scene seemed post-apocalyptic. On the days I was too tired to gut houses, I volunteered in the bike shop where we turned ten broken bikes into one working bike. Helping fellow Americans with their homes was just as important as providing these Americans with transportation they could use and afford.
My bike lock was the piece of CAUTION TAPE you can see tied around my seat post (I would tie one end to the bike and the other end to a bike rack). We were able to assist anyone who wanted a bike and for the moment theft wasn’t a problem, you just needed to signify it was claimed.
Then to my dismay my bike disappeared. Upset at first, I was excited to see the brown and gold wonder roll into the bike shop, in the hands of a fellow American. He needed a bike to ride to Jazz Fest. I was eager to help him tune the bike and send him on his way to the first Jazz Fest after Hurricane Katrina.
Frontier Fellow Report: Danni Strauss
While in Green River during August I focused on two things, bikes and photos. I was able to set up a bike fixin area and work bench in the basement of Baxter, as well, began what will hopefully be a promising relationship with Rim Cyclery in Moab, Utah.
This Fall, Winter and Spring we will be working to have the Epicycles Roll out of the Baxter Building next Summer. If you have an interest in bicycles or Bike-Share programs let us know and keep an ear to the ground for details about this exciting program!
As for my photography focus, I left happy with what I shot, but desired to stay longer and shoot more amazing people. I did not take as many photos as I wished, but I definitely took enough. Here is a look at my favorite two:
When I am in the desert, I use the Book Cliffs as a navigation tool. In this picture you can see the green belt of the river snake through the middle of the frame.
This is the re-fueling station on the way to Sego Canyon. The air machine works in the fully operational auto fuel station. I am not done working with the Epicenter, and you may see more of my photos in the future without knowing it.
Average age in Green River is 34.7
That’s up from 28.8 from 2000. Our current population is 1/3 seniors. Quite an astonishment.
Another amazing thing is that in real terms, adjusted for inflation, the average wage rate in Green River has dropped from $26,245 in 2000 to $21,456 in 2009.
source: US Census information compiled for the Green River 2010 Housing Assessment by James Wood of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah. If you’re interested in the full report, we’d be happy to send it to you; just e-mail us.
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Finalists for Epicycles →
good.is
Woooo!!!
We’re a top 15 finalist for the GOOD’s bike photo/story competition. Please take a moment to go online to the website here which features a story by Frontier Fellow Dan Strauss called Un-derailed.
It’s one of those social network/have-people-get-people-to-our-website type competitions so we’re depending on you to spread the word! We don’t particularly like these sort of self-promotion competitions, ones that try to get people signed up for their networks. But the good news is you don’t have to sign up or join anything!
Just click vote for De-railed and submit your vote! And then tell your friend about it! C’mon ya’ll, this is for $5000 (1st) or $2500 (2nd and 3rd).
Thank you Dan for your story, and the others out there that also submitted on behalf of Epicycles. Any prize we receive will go directly to the Epicycles bike share program (more info here). There are three prizes to be awarded, so again, please, go online now and vote! Thank you!
Project Green River starts tomorrow!!!
Our friends and allies began trickling into town last night (and bearing gifts like the mugs you see above, no less!). Let the wild rumpus begin!!!
Join us tonight at Epicenter (180 S Broadway) for a Volunteer Social at 9pm if you’re looking to volunteer during the event.
Tomorrow, Project Green River officially begins! After the Melon Queen Pageant, come on down to Broadway for a outdoor film screening of Thin Air and Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah. The films are scheduled to begin around 9:00 pm and run until 11:00.
Additionally, the work of Gary Orona is already on display at the Green River Coffee Company Gallery (25 East Main).
Project Green River Schedule
Thursday
9pm Volunteer Orientation at Epicenter
Friday
7am-6pm Green River Coffee Company Gallery open (25 East Main)
TBD - Green River Antipode installation (West Main)
7-9pm - Melon Queen Pageant (GRHS)
9-11pm - Film Screening (Across from Epicenter)
Saturday
All day - Epicenter & Green River Coffee Company Galleries open
9-10am - Habitat for Humanity Open House (120 S Solomon)
10am-Noon - Melon Days Parade (Broadway and Main Streets)
Noon-Midnight - Live Music on Broadway
*Schedule is subject to minor changes due to weather or logistical problems. Changes will be posted on the PGR website.*
Melon Days
While we have been shamelessly promoting Project Green River happening this coming weekend, it is equally important to recognize 106th annual Melon Days. Melon Days will be occurring the same days as Project Green River.
Melons are the prized crop in Green River, Utah. They are nothing-less than delicious. August Frontier Fellow Danni Strauss wrote back to us after leaving with melons as gifts for friends and family, “Everywhere I went the fragrance of melons followed me. It was surprising when fresh cantaloupes packed deep in suitcase change the interior smell of an automobile.”
If you are coming to Green River this weekend, make sure to check out Melons Days and Project Green River. Don’t forget to buy a melon (or three) for loved ones, they will exclaim, “This is the best melon I have ever had!”
Thank you!
This weekend is the second annual Project Green River!!! Thank you to the individuals who made it possible this year through their Kickstarter donations or by sending in a check:
Kate Adams
Trevor Adams
Dijana Alickovic
Christian Ayala
Eric Baker
Sue Baldwin
Laura Bartlett
Gregory & Barbara Bassett
Katherine Brown
Amanda Buck
William Carpenter (Lightroom, LLC.)
David Cicero
Dave Conine
Rita Crooks
Kyle Durrie
Justin Eichenlaub
Sierra Farr
Wes Funes
G. David Germeyer
Cindy Gibson
Jessica Gillmore
Melissa Graveline
Charlotte Graves
Kelly Gregory
Dawn Higdon
Joshua Kyle Hilliard
Laura Heisig
Rowan Hess
Collin Hoban
Michelle Lucas Huck
Jessica Hughes
Brett Randall & Kelsey Premo Jones
Kathleen Kershaw
Chad Kohlmeyer
Nicole Lavelle
Eileen Leary
K. Lee
Mike & Lynda Lucas
Tim & Ana Lucas
Eric Martin
Zoe Minikes
Elishia McAllister
Keely McCown
Roger Mainor
Nadene Mairesse
Eric Martin
Joshua Massey
J. Taylor Massey
Keith Massey
Kelly McAuley
Dane Miller
Matt Mueller
Corinne Olsen
Amanda Petersson
Richard Pitts
Vernon & Kim Pruitt
“Pumpkins”
Dave Ranney
Ted Ranney
Max Rosen
Diane Rulewicz
Kristin Saunders
Jaymzlinn Saxton
Matt Spears
Fuller Sherrod
Mackenzie Stagg
Blair Stapp
Steve & Juanita Sykes
Duke Thirtytwo
Aimz Trujillo
Matt “Canada” Voegtle
Kate Voegtle
Melissa Wankmuller
Keegan Wenzler
Dustin Willis
Mark Wills
Terran Wilson
Katie Woods
Gabe Woytek
Margaret Wylder
Rural and Proud.
As Summer turns to Fall, the harvest season is upon us. Hopefully you too will be frequenting your farmers market and buying local produce. Our Rural and Proud Totes are the perfect reusable bag for you or your environmentally conscious friend.
These totes are each distressed or imperfect, no two are the same. Check out our photos on Etsy to see examples of the slight imperfections that make each bag unique! Get your very own for $7 + S/H. Don’t want to pay shipping/handling? Well, come to Project Green River this weekend and buy one so we don’t have to handle or ship your tote to you!
Exploring the Frontier: Cisco
Are you coming to Project Green River this weekend? Exploring the Town of Cisco may be a nice detour when heading into Green River from the East on I-70
The Epicrew set off and explored the neighboring town recently. Located along old US Route 50 the town served as a refueling station for automobiles.
The town has a few residents, and most of the buildings are not inhabited.
This is the Post Office. The inside is still intact to Government regulation.
The interiors of the buildings hold many interesting artifacts from a different time in US history. The Town of Cisco is a great place to explore in your way to Green River! Be courteous of the residents of Cisco. People do live there and it is their private property.
Are you coming to Green River?
Project Green River is just one week away! Are you coming? If you are not excited enough, here is a taste of what sunset looks like on the Frontier.
This picture was taken on Green River Ave looking west toward Broadway, with The Epicenter in the background. Note: We did not photoshop this picture, stars are a natural shape which occur at sunset. Come see for yourself!
Is the second telephone pole crooked or is the light playing tricks on your eye? Make a guess and come see for yourself! This photo was taken steps away from The Epicenter office on Broadway.
Meet the Swamp Cooler
For those of you that have never lived in the desert, meet the swamp cooler (AKA the evaporative cooler). The swamp cooler is a device that cools air through the evaporation of water. The temperature of dry air can be dropped significantly through the phase transition of liquid to vapor (it also requires less energy than refrigeration). In addition to cooling the air, swamp coolers add much needed moisture into the conditioned space.
Ok, enough of the science lesson! We’re so in love with swamp coolers Miles Mattison (one of our August Frontier Fellows) illustrated one for us. We’ll be printing the illustration on shirts next week and selling a limited edition at Project Green River! We’re thinking white ink on algae green Alternative Apparel t-shirts…
Frontier Fellow Report: Miles Mattison
Sitting now in the breezy upstairs studio of future Frontier Fellow Nicole Lavelle in Portland, OR and finally getting a chance to share my mark on the Epicenter building.
In my last few weeks as a fellow, I focused on developing the identity of office front. The result is a simple, straight forward way to say hello the passerby, include a sweet topographic map of the area. Find your way to Swayse Beach with ease visitors!
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Land Arts of the American West →
unmlandarts.blogspot.com
Recently, we had a visit from the folks at Land Arts of the American West. Their story of coincidence and serendipity can be found on their blog here.
Lonely Friday
From uproar to near silence
Today, Frontier Fellows Miles Mattison and Nick Zdon leave Green River. We’re sincerely appreciative of Miles and Nick spending a month here in Green River, contributing to the Epicenter, and pushing the Fellow program to its best, albeit most hectic, point yet.
Also out of town is Maria and Jack. And Justin.
Chris, Blair, and Hayley have to run the fort today.
